How Coffee Spread from Ethiopia to the Ottoman Empire

You’ve heard coffee shops are everywhere—but how did coffee itself become global? The story isn’t about lattes or baristas. It begins over a thousand years ago, with religious bans, secretive medicinal use, and a lone monk who rediscovered a red fruit in the wilderness. This is the real history: how coffee traveled from Ethiopia’s highlands to the bustling coffeehouses of the Ottoman Empire, shaping the drink we know today.

In short: Coffee originated in Ethiopia by the 7th century, spread to Arabia by the 10th century, was banned as a 'devil’s drink' before being embraced in the 13th century, and reached Istanbul by 1554—where the first true coffeehouse opened. Key moments include its discovery by Sheikh Omar in the 13th century and its introduction to Cairo in 1510.

The Origins: Coffee in Ethiopia and Early Spread

Coffee’s story begins in Ethiopia, its native land, around the 7th century. By 622, the Islamic prophet Muhammad led followers from Mecca to Medina, establishing a powerful empire that eventually spanned from Central Asia to the Iberian Peninsula—including Ethiopia, which remained an independent Christian state. By the 10th to 11th centuries, coffee began moving from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula.

Early Bans and Medicinal Use

Arabic medical records from scholars like Larsus and Abikener describe coffee as a forbidden substance, even called 'the devil’s drink.' During this period, coffee fruits and seeds were boiled raw and used as a secret remedy by some Islamic scholars. The drink was controversial and not widely accepted.

The Discovery of Coffee Beans

Around 1258, legend credits Sheikh Omar with discovering coffee’s potential. Exiled to a distant valley called Wassaab (far from his home in Mocha), Omar observed birds eating red fruits. He tried them himself—the fruit we now know as coffee—and found they restored his energy and reduced fatigue. This marked the first recorded recognition of coffee’s stimulating effects.

The Birth of Roasting and Public Use

By the late 13th century, Arabs began roasting coffee beans. Simple roasting tools were developed, a crucial step in preparing coffee as we know it. Then, in 1454, coffee was introduced to the general public in the Arabian Peninsula, thanks to the efforts of a saint from Aden named Gemerting. Previously known only as a medicinal substance, coffee gained broader acceptance, and local coffee cultivation began in Yemen.

Coffee Enters the Islamic World and Beyond

The 15th and 16th centuries saw coffee spread rapidly across the Islamic world. In 1492, Columbus’s voyage marked the start of the Age of Exploration, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa through new trade routes. By the early 16th century, Arabs had introduced coffee cultivation to Sri Lanka (until rust disease destroyed farms in 1886). In 1510, coffee arrived in Cairo, though it faced a brief ban by Cairo’s governor Karl Bay in 1511—later overturned by the king. In 1517, coffee was brought to Istanbul by Ottoman Sultan Selim I, who ruled much of the Islamic world. The following decades saw coffee reach Damascus (1530) and play a role during the first Siege of Vienna (1531, ordered by Suleiman I). By 1554, Istanbul hosted the world’s first true coffeehouse, "Kanes," which influenced European café culture and solidified coffee’s place in Ottoman society.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where did coffee originate?

Coffee originated in Ethiopia by the 7th century. It was native to the region and began spreading to the Arabian Peninsula by the 10th to 11th centuries.

Why was coffee initially banned?

Arabic scholars like Larsus and Abikener called coffee the 'devil’s drink' and banned it as a forbidden substance. Early coffee was consumed by boiling raw beans and fruits, used secretly by some Islamic scholars as a medicinal remedy.

Who discovered coffee’s energizing effects?

Sheikh Omar, exiled to Wassaab (away from Mocha), discovered coffee’s effects around 1258. He observed birds eating red coffee fruits, tried them himself, and found they restored his energy and reduced fatigue.

When and where was the first coffeehouse opened?

The first true coffeehouse, "Kanes," opened in Istanbul in 1554. It became a model for later European coffeehouses and marked coffee’s establishment in Ottoman culture.

When did coffee reach Cairo and Istanbul?

Coffee arrived in Cairo in 1510, faced a brief ban, then was reinstated. It was introduced to Istanbul in 1517 by Ottoman Sultan Selim I and became widely consumed by the 1530s.

What role did the Ottoman Empire play in coffee’s spread?

The Ottoman Empire helped popularize coffee across the Islamic world, introduced roasted coffee, established public coffee consumption, and opened the first coffeehouse in Istanbul in 1554, influencing global coffee culture.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Coffee History Fans

Explore the roots of coffee with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, a bright, floral single origin with notes of citrus and blueberry—echoing the vibrant profiles of early Ethiopian beans. Pair it with our Ethiopia Guji, offering stone fruit and honey sweetness, reflecting the diverse flavours of the birthplace of coffee. For a deeper experience, try our Yemen Mocha Mattari, a bold, winey offering that connects to the centuries-old coffee trade from the Arabian Peninsula. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.